Ancient Egyptians believed that mental illness was caused by the possession of demons or evil spirits that needed to be expelled through rituals, incantations, and prayers.

Trephination was practiced by the ancient Greeks as a treatment for mental illness, with the belief that it allowed evil spirits to escape from the head.

Platonism, with its emphasis on the dualism of mind and body, greatly influenced the Greek understanding of mental illness and led to the development of psychological therapies.

Hippocrates, known as the father of medicine, rejected supernatural explanations for mental illness and emphasized the importance of natural causes and rational treatments.

In ancient Rome, mental illness was often treated by isolating and confining individuals in temples or asylums, with little emphasis on active treatment.

The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, a foundational text in traditional Chinese medicine, includes a section dedicated to mental illness and its treatment.

Ayurveda, a traditional Indian system of medicine, provided a holistic approach to mental illness, emphasizing the balance of doshas (bodily humors) and the use of herbal remedies.

The Charaka Samhita, an ancient Indian medical text, contains a section dedicated to mental illness, providing insights into its causes, symptoms, and treatment.

Ancient Persians believed that music had therapeutic effects on mental illness and used it as a primary treatment approach.

The ancient Greeks believed that mental illness was caused by imbalances in the four bodily humors, a concept that influenced their treatment approaches.

Ancient Mesopotamians believed that mental illness was caused by demons or evil spirits and primarily treated it through exorcism rituals.

Ancient Romans used hydrotherapy, including bathing in thermal springs and cold water immersion, as a treatment for mental illness.

Ancient Chinese medicine primarily used herbal remedies to treat mental illness, with a focus on restoring balance and harmony in the body.

Ancient Chinese medicine believed that mental illness was caused by disturbances in the flow of qi, or vital energy, through the body's meridians.

Ancient Indian medicine, particularly Ayurveda, emphasized the use of yoga and meditation as primary treatments for mental illness.